COPENHAGEN, Denmark (CNN) – The United States announced a new initiative Monday to support clean energy technologies in developing nations, funded by $350 million from industrialized countries.

In the announcement at the U.N. climate conference in Copenhagen, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu committed $85 million of the total funding over five years, and also announced an international meeting next year in Washington billed as the "first-ever Clean Energy Ministerial."

According to a news release from the Energy Department, the new Renewables and Efficiency Deployment Initiative, referred to as Climate REDI, "will accelerate deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies in developing countries - reducing greenhouse gas emissions, fighting energy poverty and improving public health for the most vulnerable, particularly women and children."

soundoff(47 Responses)

Mark

Yes we can afford that right now.

December 14, 2009 09:30 am at 9:30 am |

Rick McDaniel

Why is it, that the government continues to spend millions and indeed billions of tax dollars, on "gifts" to foreign countries, when we have millions of people out of work, and a trillion dollars in debt?

December 14, 2009 09:32 am at 9:32 am |

ron

So China, the third largest economy, for now, is supporting African demands for a lowest common denominator style of social justice. China, who will not abide by it themselves, and will only take advantage of American and European altruism. Altruism toward Africa rarely does more than finance corrupt regimes.

December 14, 2009 09:41 am at 9:41 am |

Dave

So more of OUR tax dollars are being sent overseas to other coutnries.

So sick of this! How about developing Nuclear energy and clean coal HERE!

How about taking the 100's of billions we send overseas and putting an end to ALL OF IT. We send money to Egypt, Israel, Saudi, etc... We have sent billions and billions and billions over the years to Africa and the vast majority can not be accounted for. We sent money to brazil so this year to help fund THEM doing offshore drilling. We are all for nuclear energy with Iran and Venezuala but our politicians won't allow advancements on it here.

We MUST end this nonsense. VOTE THEM ALL OUT

December 14, 2009 09:42 am at 9:42 am |

Mark

where paying for other countries windmills where they will probably take the money and buy arms.

December 14, 2009 09:44 am at 9:44 am |

LacrosseMom

There are millions who believe the lies of the CONservatives the "email-gate" and other LIES. The debate about Climate Change reminds me of the debate long ago about TOBACCO.

The Tobacco companies campaigned against the scientific proof that tobacco caused cancer! They even had doctors who would argue that cancer was not caused by tobacco!

There is plenty of evidence that our glaciers and polar caps are melting. Which will lead to rising sea levels, and the cooling of our oceans.

I pray that the LIARS are called-out, and that World Leaders get serious about reversing the effects of global warming!

December 14, 2009 09:46 am at 9:46 am |

don abel

Its a hucks ! It is a simple hucks ! And you fricken steeler (goverment)are going to steel my money just because IDAOLAGY,

December 14, 2009 09:49 am at 9:49 am |

Margaret

Where are you finding the money to give away?

December 14, 2009 09:50 am at 9:50 am |

DT

I thought we were broke...

December 14, 2009 09:53 am at 9:53 am |

clean energy technologies in developing nations

what about us? behind China we are the worst

and GOPers will wait until we need to buy gas masks until they think pollution is a problem

global warming, they'll say, it just doesn't fit that genius who knows all about Science George Walker Bushes view of science, so it is pseudo science. They will march to that beat until the ice caps melt, the nation's shore lines are flooded

BECAUSE why plan ahead when you can pillage today

December 14, 2009 09:55 am at 9:55 am |

disgusted independent

If they were serious about addressing our energy problems and our environmental problems there would be a lot more money devoted toward this problem. $350 million is a drop in the bucket.

December 14, 2009 09:58 am at 9:58 am |

Enough

Where are we getting this money to give away? This administration doesn't seem to understand a budget. Enough with these out of control tax and spend, spend, spend liberals. Vote their irresponsible butts out of office 2010 and 2012.

December 14, 2009 10:07 am at 10:07 am |

not alone

How about getting us jobs first so you can have the money to donate!!!Bozo Oboma.

December 14, 2009 10:08 am at 10:08 am |

Silence Dogoode

Why can't they pay for thier OWN stuff? No ONE paid for ours? I knew the idiots i the white house would find some way to waste our money on anything except the US. Sounds like the "award" and $$$$ given by Oslo is working like a charm.....

December 14, 2009 10:08 am at 10:08 am |

Scott, Tucson

That's 85 million of our taxpaying dollars this administration is giving away people! So much for helping Americans in need over here huh.

December 14, 2009 10:13 am at 10:13 am |

Bpin

Yes, I heard about this. US participants at the Copenhagen meeting were saddened by the fact that leaders in developing nations did not have personal jets and jets to carry their Limo's and security detail. They called BHO and he ordered immediate funds be released to cure the ills of these poor folks. Then he ordered the shuttle craft to fly to every developing country to deliver the millions necessary to provide these poor folks with the checks to buy their new stuff. What a guy.

December 14, 2009 10:14 am at 10:14 am |

billy123

Question how can the US pledge any money at all because we are broke?

December 14, 2009 10:19 am at 10:19 am |

Concerned Democrat

Where the heck is all this money coming from?

December 14, 2009 10:22 am at 10:22 am |

unemployed by Obama

OsamaObama, What about JOBS in America. You are a BUM that needs to be Impeach for MISLEADERSHIP and MISSPENDING tax dollars.

December 14, 2009 10:29 am at 10:29 am |

Bob in Pa

What is 85 million gonna do ? Keep our money at home unless it is going to invest in something with a strong financial return.

December 14, 2009 10:29 am at 10:29 am |

Dean

I wish I could spend money that I don't have like Obama does. OOps, that's right it's not his money, it's mine.

December 14, 2009 10:33 am at 10:33 am |

David

The nation has spent its way to unprecedented levels of debt, the economy remains a mess and this administration is going to give away 85 million to nations whose leaders will pocket the money for their own uses.

December 14, 2009 10:34 am at 10:34 am |

ObservantOne

$85 Million would create a number of needy USA jobs...just saying

December 14, 2009 10:35 am at 10:35 am |

yuri

The US is pledging USD 85 billions, and we wonder about other advanced countries as well.

December 14, 2009 10:37 am at 10:37 am |

dale

This is bs... Spend the 85m right here in the usa. You already gave them all our jobs, let them pay for improvments. This is crap. Why are the people allowing this. Because they don't have a say in it. Wait til 2010 elections. Government overhaul is coming. This makes me sick